Tiji Festival Trek 17 Nights 18 Days

Trip Introduction

Tiji festival is the most exciting and new festival which is mostly celebrated in the Upper Mustang. Samdup Rabten mustang started this festival during the 17th century. He invited the king of other districts to come to Lo Manthang. After that, many kings gather in Lo Manthang to perform a special ritual in the Chhode monastery.

Upper Mustang is very scenic, it attracts many tourist to discover an isolated region for centuries. Highest altitude of trek is 3840 meters / 12598 feet above sea level.

Tiji Festival Trek is a fascinating annual three-day festival consisting of Tibetan rituals that celebrate the myth of a son who had to save the Mustang kingdom from destruction.

During the Tiji Festival time monks dressed in elaborate costumes and masks perform dances and rituals that are supposed to drive away evil spirits. The Tiji festival dances are all organized by the Choedhe Monastery, which belongs to the Sakya sect of Buddhism.

The Rituals and the Festival:

The Tenchi festival as a whole celebrates the victory of God over Demon and Good over Evil. During the three days, dance performances by the local monks of Chode monastery take place.

On the 1st day, the monks perform a dance called ‘Tsa Chaam’. This tells the story of the birth of ‘Dorji Sonam’- a reincarnated Buddha to a demon. This demon harassed the kingdom of Mustang and brought in havoc to the country. You can witness the monks enacting the harassment of the said demon on the people of Mustang.

On the 2nd day, the monks perform ‘NgaCham’. During this performance, Dorjee Sonam tries to return the demon to the Buddha realm.

On the 3rd and final day of the festival, the ‘Rha Chham’ dance takes place. On this ceremony, Dorjee Sonam triumphs over the evil demon and banishes him from Mustang.

The monk who plays the role of Dorjee Sonam does this by throwing an effigy. This effigy made from Tsampa (barley) represents the demon ‘Ma Tam Ru Ta’. This defeat brings peace and prosperity to the land of Mustang. Every year Tiji festival takes place in the hope of spreading peace throughout the world.

Tiji Festival Trek Permit:

Normally Upper Mustang Trekking Permits costs US $ 500 per person for 10 days. But during the Tiji festival we need to take 2 more extra days. 2 extra days will charged extra US $ 50 per day. In order to obtain the permit you need to have at least two members in a group that means single permit won’t be allowed from the immigration. If you are single traveler, let us know, we can provide permits by joining you with other travelers group. We need your original passport copy to obtain the restricted area permits.

Itinerary

Departure from

Arrival On

Day 1

Arrive in Kathmandu (1,324m/ 4,344ft) and transfer to hotel.

Day 2

Trek preparation and Kathmandu valley sightseeing tour

Day 3

Drive to Pokhara (910m/3020ft) Duration: 6 hrs

Day 4

Fly to Jomsom (2700m/8855ft) & Trek to Kagbeni (2800m/9185ft) Duration: 3 hrs

Day 5

Trek Kagbeni (2800m/9185ft) to Chhuksang (3050m/10,004ft) Duration: 5 - 6 hrs

Day 6

Trek Chhuksang (3050m/10,004ft) to Geling (3500m/11480ft) Duration: 6 - 7 hrs

Day 7

Trek Geling (3500m/11480ft) to Charang (3620m/11875ft) Duration: 5 hrs

Day 8

Trek from Tsarang to Lo Manthang (3,730m/12,235ft, 3 to 4 hours) and excursion

Day 9

First day of the Tiji Festival in Lo-Manthang

Day 10

Observe 2nd day of Tiji Festival with Mask Dance

Day 11

Final day of Tiji festival Celebration / Visit Namgyal Gompa and Tingkhar and return 4 - 6 hrs

Day 12

Trek Lo - Manthang (3840m/12595ft) to Drakmar (3820m/12530ft) Duration: 6-7 hr

Day 13

Trek Drakmar (3820m/12530ft) to Shyangmochen (3800m/12465ft) Duration: 5 - 6 hrs

Day 14

Trek Shyangmochen (3800m/12465ft) to Chhusang (2980m/9775ft) Duration: 6 hrs

Day 15

rek Chhusang (2980m/9775ft) to Jomsom (2700/8856ft) Duration: 6-7 hrs

Today will along descend to Chhuksang which takes approx. 9 hrs walk. We start off early leaving the village and crossing a suspension bridge, following a short river route.
We then cross the river and steeply climb up passing small passes along the way we reach the hill top. Further, descend down until reaching the village of Chhuksang.

Day 16

Moring fly Jomsom (2700/8856ft) to Pokhara (910m/3020ft) - 30m fly

Day 17

Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu

Day 18

Final Departure

Once is not enough

Route Map

Altitude Map

What's Included

Airport pick up and Drop by private car/van/bus.
3 nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu with bed and breakfast basis.
2 nights’ accommodation in Pokhara with bed and breakfast basis.
Kathmandu Sightseeing by Private guide and private transportation
Your standard meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trekking.
All necessary paper works and conservation entry permits.
Special Trekking Permit US$ 500 per person for 10 days (the above price includes 10 days valid trekking permit from Kagbeni to Kagbeni. If you would wish to stay more than 10 days in restricted area, you are subjected to extra charge for extra days (US$ 50 per day / per person).
Annapurna conservation fee
Pokhara – Jomsom – Pokhara flight fare.
Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu by flight.
All accommodations in lodges/tea houses
An experienced Government licensed guide and porters (1 porter for 2 peoples).
Salary, Food, Drinks, Accommodation, Transportation and Insurance for the Guide and Porter.
Medical supplies (first aid kit will be available).
Fare well dinner with typical Nepali restaurant
All government taxes.

What's Not Included

Lunch and Dinner whilst in Kathmandu & Pokhara.
All kind drinks (Alcoholic, hot and cold drinks).
Personal Equipment.
All entrance fees in Kathmandu cultural tour.
Personal travel and medical insurance.
Any kind of personal expense.
Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Price Includes section.
Tips for trekking staff, driver.
Any donation to the Monastery.
Upper Mustang Monastery Entrance fees

Costs for Private: $2,300/- per person
Costs for Group: $1,900/- per person

Equipment List

What to bring ?

The following information will give you some idea about what you need to bring for the trek. It is important you do not forget the essential items, as this will determine your comfort and safety on the trek. Equally important is that you do not burden yourself with unnecessary equipment on the trek.
Upper Body- Head / Ears / Eyewear, A pair of half gloves, A warmer hat that covers the ears, Sunglasses, Neck warmer, Sunscreen (35 to 60 SPF), Headlamp and an extra set of batteries
A pair of half gloves for walking poles(if you prefer) , Warmer shell gloves and liner.
Long sleeve t-shirts , Thermal tops.
Wool jacket or pullover, Sports bras for women and girls, Water and windproof shell jacket.
Thermal underwear (especially trousers) , windproof and waterproof trousers, warmer trousers, Comfortable trekking pants, Extra casual sport pants
A pair of good waterproof trekking boots, Pair of sandals, 4-5 pairs of woolen socks, Sock liners, Light shoes and sneakers, First Aid Kits and Medicines, Assorted adhesive bandages (fabric preferred), Blister treatment cream or similar, Insect / anti-itch ointment, Ibuprofen or other pain-relief medication, Diamox (125mg to 250mg tablets for altitude sickness), Warps, splints, and wound coverings butterfly bandage, Water purifying pills
(Note our company guide will carry the medicines and first aid kits during the trek. However, we recommend you bring your personal first-aid kit as well)

General

All season sleeping bag and down Jacket (we can provide if you need it, but has to be returned after the trek), Duffle bag ( Mustang Trekking provide duffle bag during the trek but has to be returned after the trek), A wind and waterproof thin layered jacket (a must-have for morning and evenings above 3,000m), Daypack

Fixed Departure

Fix departure coming soon

Why Travel With Us?

Miscellaneous – but must useful on the trek

4 passport size photos with original passport
Water bottle & filter
Flight details (please make a copy and leave one pic at our office in KTM because in case you want to change your flight date)
Bathroom kit (conform, should be included toilet paper, plastic bags, hand wipes, towel, and soap, etc.)

Extra things: